PETALING JAYA, MAY 8th- The DAP is backing caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) Khalid Ibrahim to continue leading Selangor for a second term.
“Khalid should continue as MB after leading Pakatan to a resounding victory at the recent general election by winning a two third majority with 44 out of 56 state seats in Selangor from the previous 36 seats.
“Selangor DAP is in full support of Khalid as the Selangor MB,” said DAP secretary general and Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng in a statement today.
The question over who should hold the MB position arose because PKR has one seat less than the DAP and PAS in the Selangor state legislative assembly.
In GE13 that took place on Sunday, Pakatan Rakyat component parties won 44 out 56 state seats.
The DAP and PAS have 15 seats each whereas PKR have 14 seats. Under these circumstances, PAS can lay claim to the MB’s post as it has one extra seat.
The Selangor state constitution stipulates that the MB must be a Malay Muslim. The DAP does not have a Malay Muslim state legislative assemblyman in Selangor.
Yesterday, Selangor PAS deputy commissioner III Khalid Samad, who is also Shah Alam MP, was coy when asked whether they would lay claim to the MB’s post.
Selangor PAS commissioner Abdul Rani Osman, who is also Meru state assemblyman, meanwhile was reported to have said that they would send their list of potential candidates to fill the Menteri Besar and exco positions.
Lim said that Khalid should be allowed to helm the state as a MB because he had retained Selangor for Pakatan Rakyat even though Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak led the BN charge in the state as Selangor BN chief.
“Even though DAP won 15 seats together with PAS 15 and PKR’s 14, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim should be recognised for his integrity and stewardship of Selangor.
“This had enabled Pakatan to beat back a determined effort by BN led by Prime Minister Najib to win back Selangor,” said Lim.
DAP’s backing for Khalid is also vital as he is also facing a challenge from within his own party PKR for the top post. It is well known that PKR deputy president and Bukit Antarabangsa state rep Azmin is eyeing the post as well.
